Sacramento fans rally to keep Kings out of Anaheim

Kings fans Blake Richardson, Tyler Brandt, and Tim Ghiorso, left to right, rally to keep their team in Sacramento. The owners of the Kings are considering moving the team to Anaheim -- but Anaheim doesn't rhyme with "stay." STEVE YEATER, AP

SACRAMENTO – With their team eying a move to Anaheim, Sacramento Kings fans turned Monday's home game against the Clippers into an emotional plea to keep the NBA in the Capitol city.

Signs reading "OUR TEAM OUR TOWN" and "Please Please Please Stay" peppered the crowd, which roared with a passion unseen since the days when Sacramento challenged the Lakers for Western Conference supremacy. An online campaign called "Here We Stay" prompted Kings fans to turn out for this game, the last before today's deadline for teams to file for relocation.

The plan seemed to work as the Kings' Arco Arena came alive with a buzz that's been missing all season. In the end, however, it may be too little too late as the owner of the Kings, the Maloof family, has asked the NBA to extend the relocation deadline.

"I am a diehard Kings fan. If they leave, I'll be heartbroken," said Lynne MacIntosh, 60, of Yuba City, just north of Sacramento.

Wearing a purple jacket, a Kings T-shirt, a Kings jersey, Kings earings and a temporary black and purple Sacramento Kings tattoo on her right cheek, MacIntosh watched a group of raucous boys chant "Here We Stay, Not LA" outside of the arena before the game. Not so loud herself, MacIntosh nonetheless shared their passion for keeping the Kings in town.

"The Sacramento Kings," she said, touching her cheek. "We want it to stay the Sacramento Kings."

But even amid the chants and cheers, fans expressed a sort of grim acceptance that this could be the end for their team. Many said they were not surprised the Maloofs were looking to Anaheim. Attendance has been noticeably down as the Kings have stumbled to a 14-victory season. The family has wanted a new stadium for years and rumors of a move have come and gone seemingly every season.

The fans, in some ways, understand. But still it hurts, they say.

"Sacramento has a 12-percent unemployment rate and it's only going up," said Jarrad Hicks, 22 of Sacramento over the din outside the arena. "...It's not going to get better if the Kings leave."

Just a few feet away, Ellaine Taraya, 42, of Lincoln, like most of the fans, surveyed the scene at a quiet remove. She wore purple eye shadow, she said, to support the Kings, but admitted she came on Monday largely to see Clippers star Blake Griffin. She said it would be "a sad day" if the Kings ever leave, but seemed resigned that it would happen someday.

Kings fans Blake Richardson, Tyler Brandt, and Tim Ghiorso, left to right, rally to keep their team in Sacramento. The owners of the Kings are considering moving the team to Anaheim -- but Anaheim doesn't rhyme with "stay." STEVE YEATER, AP
Kings fans Jarrad Hicks, left, and Bruce Thibaudeau show their support for the team before the Kings play the Clippers on Monday in Sacramento. The owners of the Kings are considering moving the team to Anaheim. One sign reads, "Here we stay, not L.A.!" STEVE YEATER, AP
Kings fans Lance Van Biber, 11, left, Jacob Owings, 11, and Shaun McGinley rally Monday outside Arco Arena. ANDY ALFARO, THE SACRAMENTO BEE
Tim Ghiorso, Blake Richardson, and Tyler Brandt, left to right, show their passion for the Sacramento Kings. Unable to secure funding for a new arena, the Kings have been in discussions with officials in Anaheim, NBA commissioner David Stern has said. Fans chose Monday's Clippers game as an opportunity to protest a move south. STEVE YEATER, AP
The protest continued inside Arco Arena. JOSE LUIS VILLEGAS, THE SACRAMENTO BEE
Jeanne Robinson, Len Robinson, and Tim King of Sacramento sit in front of a banner indicating where Sacramento fans think the Kings belong. JOSE LUIS VILLEGAS, THE SACRAMENTO BEE
Clippers forward Blake Griffin, left, spins away from Kings defender Jason Thompson during the first half Monday. STEVE YEATER, AP
Kings guard Marcus Thornton, left, shoots over Clippers center Chris Kaman during the first half of Monday's game. STEVE YEATER, AP
Clippers guard Mo Williams, left, gets past Sacramento Kings defender DeMarcus Cousins for a basket. STEVE YEATER, AP

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